Renate Hermes

Group Spa Director & Co-Owner, Duniye Spa With Duniye Spa’s group spa director & co-owner Renate Hermes we explore topics such as the hype surrounding wellness these days, what it means to really go beyond the traditional spa concept, and the possibility…

Would you believe the future has begun?

Technology is changing the way people travel. Or perhaps it’s the other way around. These days, people seem to like getting things done at the snap of a finger, to be able to talk to other people instantaneously regardless of where they…

Boutique Hotels – a different way to stay

Like with most things, it’s hard to nail what a boutique hotel is exactly, yet you’d get an idea if you look at its history and contrast it with more traditional hotels.  The term was coined by American entrepreneur Steve Rubell, who…

Nika Island Resort – championing local heritage

It’s like I’ve stepped back in time as I walk through Nika, a boutique resort in North Ari, run by a family of Italians. Coral stone figures prominently in its buildings, the reception, the rooms, even the low walls marking its lanes.…

Designer Ryuzo Nakata pops up at Huvafen Fushi

Sapporo born fashion designer Ryuzo Nakata turned up at Huvafen Fushi Monday evening for the launch of his pop-up event on the island.  At the cocktail reception that evening, Nakata displayed a collection of womenswear that included dresses that favoured sheer cloth…

Fathmath Maya Ameez & Fathmath Nuha Nizam

Meet Maya and Nuha, the young front desk attendants at Mercure Kooddoo Maldives. They’re natives of neighbouring Gaafu Alifu Vilingili, just minutes away by speedboat from the resort. …

Manta Air celebrates first aircraft

New domestic carrier Manta Air received its first aircraft, the turboprop ATR 72-600 this November. The airline held a special function to mark the event, which saw the attendance of senior officials from the Civil Aviation Authority, National Air Security, Customs, Immigration…

Women’s Participation in Tourism

With proper planning and integration of strong gender perspectives tourism can help promote equality on a local, national and global scale. This article looks at the challenges to women’s participation in the tourism sector and how we could increase their contribution. Over…

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi – a foodie island

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is a striking island with a luxurious stretch of white sand encircling it. Its lagoon is clear as Listerine, a captivating sight as the seaplane descends. The plane docks by the jetty and I disembark, tired from…